What is STEPi?
STEPi stands for Squaring The Education Pyramid Institute. Our manifesto is inspired by the belief to "square the pyramid” which means each child should have access to the same resources as those born into privilege. Society spends significantly more resources on those who reach the top of the pyramid; they spend more on higher education and an elite workforce, while the others aren’t prioritised. Beginning in early childhood, the needs of all children need to be met no matter if it is something as simple as a pencil or a book.
At STEPi, we believe it's time to create an inclusive education system based on the science of brain development, early childhood studies, and the science behind positive education, positive psychology, and social emotional intelligences. We do this by creating resources and hosting workshops that build and inspire important life skills and intelligences in children and the adults in their lives, such as parents, caregivers, teachers, and community leaders.
Our coordinators embark on roadtrips in under-resourced communities where they distribute resources like storybooks, teacher guides and postcards to host reading activities with the children, as well as workshops and training programmes with schools, teachers, community or religious leaders, and parents of the community. Over 260,000 STEPi books and resources have been distributed in East Africa and South Africa.
Each book has specific themes that deal with a child’s real, everyday life so that they can relate to the characters and see themselves in each story. For example, Amani the Boda-Boda Rider teaches girls and boys that they can be anything they wish to be. Happy Girl Happy Boy teaches children about emotions and how to manage their feelings. Congazori builds environmental awareness and encourages locals to protect their environment. STEPi books are designed to help children fall in love with stories, books, and reading; to help them grow emotionally and mentally and to excite their curiosity. STEPi books include great stories that build virtues, values and character within anyone that reads them.
STEPi resources are also meant for teachers, parents, researchers, educationalists and others who wish to use STEPi books and other resources in their own programs, or who wish to connect with other effective grassroots-oriented programs that work toward encouraging holistic development for children. All STEPi resources, programs and workshops are intended to be integrated as supplemental to already existing programs or curriculums at primary schools, youth and community-based organizations, places of worship, or can even be implemented at home.
Additionally, STEPi runs a 6-week training programme called Uplift. Uplift training is intended for any adult who works directly with children. The goal is that these adults can help the children understand themselves, their emotions and how to manage them effectively. The training seeks to transform the lives of children through the magic of literacy, books, and educational support by developing social, emotional and spiritual life skills.
Click here for more information about Uplift and how you can become an Uplift mentor in your community.
STEPi partners with various organisations in Uganda, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire so that many communities have access to resources and books. Many of the programmes at these organisations focus on areas such as:
Childhood and youth development
Parenting workshops
Teacher training
Community development and sustainable life skills
Mental health
Girl child empowerment
Artistic development / Encouraging creative expression
We invite you to browse the STEPi website for more information about what we do and stand for. Alternatively, contact us. We would be happy to chat with you!